Why Country Names Mean

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Countries are typically named for (or derive names from) ethnic groups, famous individuals,  geographical locations, and geological features.


Argentina: Silver


Australia: Southern land


Austria: Land of the east


Bahamas: Shallow sea


Bermuda: Captain Bermudez


Bolivia: Simon Bolivar


Botswana: Tswana ethnic people


Brazil: Brazilwood tree


Bulgaria: Land of the Bulgars


Canada: Village (in Iroquian)


China: China emperor Qin


Columbia: Christopher Columbus


Congo: Kongo kingdom


Costa Rica: Rich coast


Cook Islands: Captain James Cook


Cyprus: Copper


Ecuador: Equator


Eritrea: Red sea


Guatamala: Land of many trees


Guinea: Women


Guyana: Land of many waters


Haiti: Land of mountains


Hungary: Ten arrows


Japan: Land of the rising sun


Kenya: White mountain


Kyrgyzstan: Land of forty tribes


Liberia: Free


Liechtenstein: Light (brilliant) stone


Luxembourg: Little castle


Madagascar: Earth's end


Mexico: Mexica (an Aztec group)


Micronesia: Small islands


Nepal: Cattle herders


Netherlands: Lowlands


Holland: Wooded land


Norway: Northern way


Philippines: King Phillip II of Spain


Polynesia: Many islands


Romania: Realm of the Romans


Sierra Leone: Lion mountains


Singapore: Lion city


Sri Lanka: Beautiful land


Sudan: Land of the blacks


Thailand: Land of the free


Venezuela: Little Venice


Zimbabwe: Stone houses


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